Kasie
Whitener
Libertarian nominee for U.S. Senate in South Carolina (2026); educator, entrepreneur, and state Libertarian Party chair
- sources
- 7
- positions
- 6
- endorsements
- 1
Background
Dr. Kasie Whitener is the Libertarian Party nominee for U.S. Senate in South Carolina in the November 3, 2026 general election. A Florence native who grew up in Herndon, Virginia, she resides in Blythewood, South Carolina. She holds a B.A. in English from Clemson University (1999), an M.A. in English from Winthrop University (2004), and a Ph.D. in Organization and Management (2014). 12311
Whitener serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor and Director of the Faber Entrepreneurship Center at the University of South Carolina, and founded Clemson Road Creative, a business-process consultancy, after relocating to Blythewood in 2012. She has also worked in radio as co-host of Mornings with Kasie and Kev and host of Write On SC on 100.7 The Point, and published two novels in 2019 and 2021. 13
Within the Libertarian Party, she served two terms as Richland County chairperson for the South Carolina Libertarian Party and currently chairs the party's state committee. She also served two terms as president of the South Carolina Writers Association. The FEC classifies her as a challenger; she has not previously held elected public office. 11115
Whitener faces incumbent Republican Lindsey Graham and other candidates in the 2026 South Carolina U.S. Senate race. A multi-candidate debate was scheduled for October 11, 2026. 1015
At a glance
- Party
- Libertarian
- Running for
- U.S. Senate, South Carolina
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Clinical Assistant Professor and Director, Faber Entrepreneurship Center, University of South Carolina
- Website
- kasiesouthcarolina.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 11debateWhitener joins Graham and Andrews in South Carolina ETV Senate debate
SCETV hosted the only scheduled three-way debate of the South Carolina U.S. Senate race at 7 p.m. on October 11, featuring Whitener, Republican Darline Graham, and Democrat Annie Andrews. Pre-debate reporting also noted Whitener's campaign resources were described as modest.
Andrews, Graham and Whitener to face off in long-awaited South Carolina Senate debate · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 8newsFort Mill Sun candidate profile highlights Whitener's focus on national debt and zero-based budgeting
In a Fort Mill Sun candidate spotlight, Whitener identified the national debt as her top concern. She proposed returning to an annual zero-based budgeting process and requiring a 5% cut across all federal agencies, along with tax-code changes and reforms to Social Security and Medicare.
US Senate Candidate Spotlight: Dr. Kasie Whitener, Libertarian Nominee · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 28pollPoll shows Whitener at 2% in South Carolina U.S. Senate race
A poll of 1,200 likely South Carolina voters conducted September 28–29 showed Whitener at 2%, with Graham at 46%, Andrews at 45%, Mark Hackett at 3%, and 4% undecided. The margin of error was approximately 2.8 percentage points.
Andrews vs Graham SC Senate poll · Oct 4, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 25newsWhitener qualifies for South Carolina ETV Senate debate, confirms participation
Whitener announced she would take part in the SCETV Senate debate alongside Republican Darline Graham and Democrat Annie Andrews, writing: 'It's official. I'll be on stage for the debate with the other two candidates for US Senate in South Carolina. This is a job interview.'
Third party candidate qualifies for US Senate debate in October · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Apr 11filingKasie Whitener advances as Libertarian nominee at South Carolina party convention
Whitener secured the Libertarian nomination for the South Carolina U.S. Senate seat at the party convention on April 11, according to Smarter.Vote's candidate profile.
Kasie Whitener - smarter.vote · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Jessica Ethridge otherFormer South Carolina lieutenant governor candidate (2022) is quoted on Whitener's campaign website: "Kasie is a leader with true integrity. She does what she says she's going to do." The site does not give a date or explicitly label it an endorsement. kasiesouthcarolina.com
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $17K
- Spent
- $15K
- Cash on hand
- $2,607
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record S6SC04247(opens in a new tab)
Sources 7
- [1] Andrews, Graham and Whitener to face off in long-awaited South Carolina Senate debate(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [2] Kasie Whitener - smarter.vote(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [3] US Senate Candidate Spotlight: Dr. Kasie Whitener, Libertarian Nominee(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [4] Andrews vs Graham SC Senate poll(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
- [5] Third party candidate qualifies for US Senate debate in October(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
- [6] We The Palmetto: Meet the Candidate: Kasie Whitener (U.S. Senate)(opens in a new tab) Jul 17, 2026
- [7] Home - | Kasie Whitener SC(opens in a new tab) Aug 7, 2025